Peer Recovery Specialist Certification
Training
72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist Trainings
More information can be found here These individuals are authorized to offer the DBHDS 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training .
National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals - NCC AP (from NAADC)
Certifying Bodies
Virginia Certification Board – VCB
Requirements: completion of the DBHDS 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training, accumulate 500 hours of experience providing peer support services; pass a certification exam; have at least one year of recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges or at least one year as a family member supporting a loved one with mental health and/or substance use challenges; have a high school diploma/GED; agree to abide by a code of ethics.
Recertification: Requirements: 20 hours of continuing education hours every two years, six of which need to be in ethics.
For more information, visit the VCB website: https://www.vacertboard.org/certifications
National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals - NCC AP (from NAADC)
Requirements:high school diploma/GED; have at least two years of recovery from substance use challenges or co-occurring substance use and mental health challenges; accumulate 200 hours of direct practice; 60 hours of contact training hours in various topics; gain two references; agree to abide by a code of ethics; pass a certification exam. To be recognized as a Peer Recovery Specialist in Virginia, one must also complete the DBHDS 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training.
Renewal Requirements: 20 hours of continuing education hours every two years, six of which need to be in ethics; work history for the two years prior to renewal.
For more information, visit the NAADAC website: https://www.naadac.org/ncprss
Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veteran Affairs
Veterans have the choice to obtain their peer specialist certification on their own through a state-approved peer specialist certification training organization and then seek their employment in VHA in the GS-0102 6-9 series so that they will enter employment in VHA as a certified peer specialist. Section 405 of Public Law 110-387 (2008) sets the qualification requirements for peer specialists in VHA. Part of that legislation requires that VHA accept peer specialist certification from the state-approved peer specialist certification training organizations. VHA Office of Peer Support Services has always stipulated that peer specialists need to maintain their peer specialist certification across the duration of their employment in VHA and do what is needed to meet the requirements for their certification training organization/state certifying body to maintain the certification. To be recognized as a Peer Recovery Specialist in Virginia, one must complete the DBHDS 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training.
Registration: For the purposes of an authorized Medicaid employer billing Medicaid for peer support services, a recognized Peer Recovery Specialist (certified) must be registered with the Virginia Department of Health Professions, Board of Counseling (BOC). Registration does require a background check. For more information on registration, see the FAQ on the BOC website.